Jena and The Ballad of Calamity, band members are; Jena Douglas, acoustic rhythm guitar and lead vocals, Tony Ybarra lead guitar, Dylan Douglas bass, and Steve Stocmal drums and vocals.
JENA DOUGLAS / THE BALLAD OF CALAMITY:
I have been writing songs for over 20 years. I have an Associate of Art degree in music from Santa Barbara City College and a Bachelor of Art degree in music from University of California Santa Barbara. I have lived in Santa Barbara all my life. My lastest CD, The Ballad of Calamity, is recorded with her friends and family all of whom love in the area. I discribe my album, The Ballad of Calamity as, "California Country Folk Rock with a hangover from the 70"s" or folk-a-delic or even “prog-folk”. Kenny Edwards plays electric guitar, bass and mandolin, and is a phenomenal musician who is founding member of The Stone Poneys with Linda Ronstadt. George Pendergast (Dishwalla) is a sought after drummer and the owner of Mike's Drum Shop in Santa Barbara. Tony Ybarra has a master's degree in guitar from USC, and is an awesome classical player as well as my rock lead guitar player when I play love. Keith Douglas is my nephew and also horn player for The Mad Caddies. He is incrediably toalneted. I am fortunate to have many talented musicians from my family to choose from. My brother Aaron plays stand up bass on, "Sweet as You". Aaron plays in a local bluegrass band called, The Salt Marshians. My Son, Dylan Douglas (who at the tender age of 12 yrs.), plays percussion on most of the songs and bass on "Again Someday.'' Dylan is a songwritier too and is growing into being a musical genius, Todd Grant is the acoustic lead guitar player and background vocal. Todd is a member of a local bluegrass band, The Floyd County Boys. A new friend and true bohemian is Steve Emanuel who plays Stand up bass on "From your Fire" and "Goodbye". Barbara Coventry plays violin on Boy and Goodbye and also does back vocal on Goodbye. I met Barbara at a song-writing camp called SummerSongs that both Kenny and I attend. She is classically trained but can rock and saw when she needs to. Dr. John Clark is a music professor up at Santa Barbara City College. He plays piano on the only cover tune, "Walk On By". John is a good friend who supports his students, current or former. Robinson Eikenberry is a genius in the studio and is the best kept secret in Santa Barbara. Robinson is a very popular producer/engineer. He just finished mixing a Karla Bonoff live CD. Karla wants him back for another CD.
Kenny Edwards says about the album, "Anyone can make a music CD, but this is like music theater".
Jim David (Hal David’s son) says about the cover, Walk On By, “a sweet sensitive vocal along with a classy arrangment.”
I just finished making a video " I am Powerless" for youtube. I am back in the studio with Robinson. This time I am co-writting songs with Robinson and recording some new songs.
This month we have Regina Spektor with the theme to the film Prince Caspian (but don’t let that put you off, it is really rather wonderful), Mermaid Skeletons with a great song that’s worth it for the chorus alone, the Agnostic Mountain Gospel Choir, who are as good as their name if not more so and finally the legendary Chip Taylor with the thought-provoking Former American Soldier. Great listening, and if you like the tracks, buy the albums!
Thanks for being a friend! Did you check out our DVD trailer on Scottish wildcats? Watch it below if not, it's only a couple of minutes long with lots of shots of these ultra rare animals in the wild...
Everyone should come out for this. Josh and Tim of Springtime is Wartime are doing a fun lovin side project. Ever wished Pedro the Lion were a dance rock band?
Hey Jaena. Thanks for coming out to the Muddy's gig. It was great to see you and Dylan in the audience. Sorry we didn't get to talk. Hope to see you at a song circle or a gig soon. Blessings. Mark
Hey Jena! It's been way too long...I saw your bulletin about "Walk on By". And I remembered telling you how much I loved your take on that song back when we first met on MySpace back in 1998 (LOL)!
Listened to everything and love all of the "Calamity" stuff.
hey buddy!!! chk out ANCESTORS on my mini player left side of page(myspace plyr wouldnt take it,too big) itz the scaled down version i have the full WITH KEYBOARD hint wish u were plyn it.and lead and other vocalz...another HINT....get bk to me ,,,,,,i luv my bestest friendist...
Sorry I couldn't stay for your big party. I barely made it back in time to pick up my son at my folks house before their bed time. I hope your birthday was great. Hugs, Tara
